Mateo Kovacic (R) of Croatia competes during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D qualification match between Croatia and Wales in Split, Croatia on March 25, 2023. (Photo by Matija Habljak/PIXSELL via Xinhua)
BERLIN, March 25 (Xinhua) -- Substitute Joselu scored twice in two minutes to spur Spain past Norway 3-0 in Group A, while Nathan Broadhead's 93rd-minute equalizer earned Wales a 1-1 draw with Croatia in Group D of the Euro 2024 qualifiers on Saturday.
Dani Olmo flicked Alejandro Balde's cross-shot into the net in the 13th minute to set off Spain to a good start in Luis de la Fuente's first match in charge in Malaga.
Coming in as a substitute in the 81st minute, Joselu headed past Orjan Nyland in just two minutes and found the net again from close range one minute later to seal Spain's 23rd consecutive home win in Euro qualifiers.
In Group D, Andrej Kramaric's strike in the 28th minute put Croatia ahead, before he and Luka Modric continued to create chances but all were denied by Wales keeper Danny Ward. Their lead was cancelled in the stoppage time as Broadhead tipped in an equalizer in the 93rd minute on his senior international debut to rescue Wales a point.
Elsewhere, Türkiye defeated Armenia 2-1 in the other clash in Group D while Scotland began a Euro qualifying campaign with a victory for the first time since 2006 after beating Cyprus 3-0.
In Group I, Winger Renato Steffen's hat-trick powered Switzerland to beat Belarus 5-0. Israel drew 1-1 with Kosovo and Andorra lost to Romania 2-0. ■
Luka Modric (2nd L) of Croatia controls the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D qualification match between Croatia and Wales in Split, Croatia on March 25, 2023. (Photo by Matija Habljak/PIXSELL via Xinhua)
Ivan Perisic (R) of Croatia vies with Harry Wilson of Wales during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D qualification match between Croatia and Wales in Split, Croatia on March 25, 2023. (Photo by Matija Habljak/PIXSELL via Xinhua)
Borna Sosa (R) of Croatia vies for the ball during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D qualification match between Croatia and Wales in Split, Croatia on March 25, 2023. (Photo by Matija Habljak/PIXSELL via Xinhua)
Andrej Kramaric (2nd L) of Croatia vies with Joe Morrell of Wales during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group D qualification match between Croatia and Wales in Split, Croatia on March 25, 2023. (Photo by Matija Habljak/PIXSELL via Xinhua)
